Joined by splitboarders Forrest Thorniley and Barrows Worm de Geldern this past Saturday on a trek into Rocky Mountain National Park, we finally bagged a line that has grown to a slight obsessive level of recent. On two separate occasions this year alone have I attempted to reach the summit of Notchtop Mountain with the goal of skiing down the Spire Couloir only to get turned away due to adverse weather conditions. While the sun was out and the temperatures above freezing, we didn't luck out and hit the trifecta as the winds reached 40mph sustained with gusts topping fifty. Regardless, once we climbed the first 2,500 feet in 1:40 towards Flattop Mountain, there was no turning back and the day took a slightly masochistic turn with our objective less than a two-mile hike across flat terrain.
(photo by Forrest Thorniley)
Long's Peak visible some six miles to the south with our nemesis blowing across proudly:
(photo by Forrest Thorniley)
Although the above freezing temperatures during the previous two days gained us confidence that anything that was going to slide would have done so already, we surveyed our options at the top of Notchtop and quickly found an ideal cornice to saw off in order to test the south-facing slope for avalanche danger. With no reaction, we felt comfortable and found a suitable entrance onto the ridgeline that separates the East Face from the Spire Couloir.
Forrest dropping in:
A look from below towards our entry as Barrows makes a turn:
As the always reliable test dummy, I chose to descend down first into the initial choke. Once inside the protected couloir, snow conditions quickly improved to ideal spring skiing corn that was soft enough without being overly gloppy and dangerous.
Forrest lays down a slash:
Barrows finds an opening:
(photo by Forrest Thorniley)
And I quickly catch up to them:
(photo by Forrest Thorniley)
Barrows poses for the camera:
Forrest speeds off into the middle section:
About two-thirds of the way down, we approached a crux of sorts with a rock downclimb on one side and an ice fall on the other. Being the novice that I am, I chose the rocks with Forrest and Barrows going the more technical route. Some four minutes later, we met and began the finally stretch downhill.
(photo by Forrest Thorniley)
Barrows exiting at the bottom with Ptarmigan Glacier in the background:
In summary, this was a fantastic day even when factoring in the elements that caught us off guard and tempted fate. On the uphill climb before meeting Barrows at the entrance to Dragon's Tail off Flattop, both Forrest and I were feasting on finally being able to bag a line like the Spire Couloir. There was no way in hell we were about to allow mother nature to intervene especially when everything else seemed so right, so perfect, and so fitting. The group had great communication and we all understood each others' boundaries, limitations, and desires. In the end, we all felt comfortable with our abilities and with the snow conditions, and after using all the knowledge that we've gained over the years, we made the correct call. Simply put, there's no greater feeling than flying down the apron with a clenched fist in the air moments before meeting your partners as you celebrate a victorious accomplishment.
(our descent route is shown in red with the ice fall on the left side of the bifurcation and a downclimb on the right)
The video:
For more pictures, please visit the two links below:
http://thomas-armento.smugmug.com/Other/Spire-Couloir-02-Apr-2011
http://forrestthorniley.com/notchtopspire.htm
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